The Curiosity rover is a land vehicle about the size of a small car which was created to explore the surface of Mars and relay information back to scientists on earth. It was carried to the Red Planet in a spacecraft called the Mars Science Laboratory, which was created specifically for this purpose. The name “Curiosity” was selected from over 9,000 names submitted by students in a contest. Curiosity embodies the desire of mankind to find answers to the question of life on other planets. Scientists created the rover primarily to help answer the question of whether life on Mars is, or ever was, possible, and to gather geological and climatic information from the Red Planet. Mars Science Laboratory was launched from Earth on November 26, 2011 with Curiosity onboard, traveling more than 350,000,000(350 million) miles to the atmosphere of Mars. After more than 8 months in transit, Curiosity successfully touched down on the surface of Mars after a complicated descent utilizing a parachute.
Mission In order to ensure a successful mission, scientists created specific objectives in the areas of Biological, Geological and Geochemical, Planetary Process, and Surface Radiation as follows:
Characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation, including galactic and cosmic radiation, solar proton events and secondary neutrons. As part of its exploration, it also measured the radiation exposure in the interior of the spacecraft as it traveled to Mars, and it is continuing radiation measurements as it explores the surface of Mars. This data would be important for a future manned mission.
Construction The materials used in the construction of Curiosity needed to be carefully selected, as the rover would be required to travel through space and enter the atmosphere of Mars, being subjected to temperatures as hot as 3,790° F and as cold as -131.8° F. These materials include metals such as titanium, aluminum, bronze, copper, stainless steel, and tungsten. The rover is 9.5’ long, 8.9’ wide, and 7.2’ tall, and weighed 1,982 lb. when on Earth.
Equipment and Capabilities (17) onboard cameras help Curiosity accomplish mission objectives. There are six different types of cameras including:
Mast Cameras(MastCam) There are (2) MastCams, capable of taking 1600 x 1200 dpi true-color images, and video at 720p. Each camera has flash memory capable of storing 5,500 images. These cameras look for points of interest and relay the information to other systems.
Chemistry and Camera Complex(ChemCam) There is only (1) ChemCam. The ChemCam combines a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy(LIBS) and a Remote Micro Imager(RMI) Telescope. The LIBS ascertains the composition of rocks and soils by vaporizing them with a high-powered laser, while the RMI telescope takes images of the findings.
Navigation Camera(NavCams) The Curiosity has (4) NavCams, which are black and white, and are used for land navigation.
Hazard Avoidance Cameras(HazCams) There are (8) HazCams on the rover. Only (4) HazCams are operational at any given time, as the system features full redundancy. These cameras view the rovers surrounding in black and white 3D to determine whether the intended path is safe. They also monitor the anticipated path of the robotic arm to verify it is clear of hazards.
Mars Hand Lens Imager(MAHLI) There is only (1) MAHLI on the rover, located on the robotic arm. Its purpose is to acquire microscopic images of rocks and soil. The MAHLI is capable of taking images in the dark.
Mars Descent Imager(MARDI) There is (1) MARDI on Curiosity. Its purpose was to take images of the surface of Mars during the rovers’ descent to the surface of the planet. This allowed mapping of the surface surrounding the landing spot. It started taking images at 2.3 miles from the surface, concluding at 16’ from the surface. It took images at four frames per second for two minutes during its descent, and is capable of storing over 4,000 color images at 1,600 x 1,200 dpi.
In addition to (17) onboard cameras, Curiosity boasts a number of other high-tech systems including a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator as a power source, a fluid based heat rejection system, redundant onboard computers, and numerous telecommunication systems with full redundancy. The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station(REMS) monitors humidity, pressure, temperature, wind speed and ultraviolet radiation. Other onboard instruments and tools include the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer(APXS) which helps determine the composition of samples, the Sample Analysis at Mars(SAM) which analyzes organics and gases, the Dust Removal Tool (DRT) which removes dust, the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) which measures hydrogen, ice and water, and the 6.9’multi-purpose triple-jointed robotic arm. The rover can climb slopes up to 12.5°, can tilt 50° in any direction without rolling over, and can travel 660’ per day. It can drive over obstacles approximately 26” tall, has a ground clearance of 24”, a maximum speed of 300 feet per hour, and an average speed of 98 feet per hour.
Issues In 2013, a critical wear issues was detected with the Mars Curiosity rover wheels while the rover was in service. This was a problem unique to the Curiosity due it its construction of multiple wheel axles, 6 tires and the harsh terrain of Mars. The original design of the drive train caused all of the wheels to turn at the same rate. This is problematic when climbing over sharp objects as it causes the wheels in front or behind the drive wheel to push or pull the others into jagged rock edges, causing permanent physical damage to those wheels. While the tires are 20 inches in diameter and 16 inches wide, the non-treaded portion of the tires is only half as thick as a dime. Photos were taken and compared to previous photos to determine the wear and tear of the tires and treads. The wear and breakage of a number of treads in the middle left tire of the Mars Curiosity rover was concerning. The wheel problem was solved with software by engineers on earth. The traction control software that they developed takes into account the wheel speed and suspension position of each individual wheel to determine the correct rotation speed for that wheel, minimizing the amount of slippage and damage to the treads. This algorithm took 18 months to test and develop by the scientific team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory before it was uploaded to Curiosity. This upgrade will help reduce pressure and damage to these delicate wheels. While the damage prior to the upgrade is significant, the Curiosity has already fulfilled its original mission on Mars and is expected to complete all of the current additional missions it has taken on.
Cost The total cost of the mission, including the Mars Science Laboratory, the Curiosity rover and all associated design and construction, as well as expenses to cover the 23 months that Curiosity will operate on the surface of Mars, is $2,500,000,000 ($2.5 billion), or approximately $8 for each person living in the United States.
Mission Results The mission was successful in determining that Mars indeed was once habitable for simple life forms.
The value of space travel to the human race is difficult to assess, however, in his book “Space Chronicles”, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson lists “a host of technologies that can be attributed to space exploration, including (but not limited to) kidney dialysis machines, aircraft collision-avoidance systems, LASIK eye surgery, GPS, hydroponic systems for growing plants, digital imaging, cordless power tools and athletic shoes.”
The Curiosity rover is a land vehicle about the size of a small car which was created to explore the surface of Mars and relay information back to scientists on earth. It was carried to the Red Planet in a spacecraft called the Mars Science Laboratory, which was created specifically for this purpose. The name “Curiosity” was selected from over 9,000 names submitted by students in a contest. Curiosity embodies the desire of mankind to find answers to the question of life on other planets. Scientists created the rover primarily to help answer the question of whether life on Mars is, or ever was, possible, and to gather geological and climatic information from the Red Planet. Mars Science Laboratory was launched from Earth on November 26, 2011 with Curiosity onboard, traveling more than 350,000,000(350 million) miles to the atmosphere of Mars. After more than 8 months in transit, Curiosity successfully touched down on the surface of Mars after a complicated descent utilizing a parachute.
Mission
In order to ensure a successful mission, scientists created specific objectives in the areas of Biological, Geological and Geochemical, Planetary Process, and Surface Radiation as follows:
Biological
Geological and geochemical
Planetary process
Surface radiation
Construction
The materials used in the construction of Curiosity needed to be carefully selected, as the rover would be required to travel through space and enter the atmosphere of Mars, being subjected to temperatures as hot as 3,790° F and as cold as -131.8° F. These materials include metals such as titanium, aluminum, bronze, copper, stainless steel, and tungsten. The rover is 9.5’ long, 8.9’ wide, and 7.2’ tall, and weighed 1,982 lb. when on Earth.
Equipment and Capabilities
(17) onboard cameras help Curiosity accomplish mission objectives. There are six different types of cameras including:
Mast Cameras(MastCam)
There are (2) MastCams, capable of taking 1600 x 1200 dpi true-color images, and video at 720p. Each camera has flash memory capable of storing 5,500 images. These cameras look for points of interest and relay the information to other systems.
Chemistry and Camera Complex(ChemCam)
There is only (1) ChemCam. The ChemCam combines a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy(LIBS) and a Remote Micro Imager(RMI) Telescope. The LIBS ascertains the composition of rocks and soils by vaporizing them with a high-powered laser, while the RMI telescope takes images of the findings.
Navigation Camera(NavCams)
The Curiosity has (4) NavCams, which are black and white, and are used for land navigation.
Hazard Avoidance Cameras(HazCams)
There are (8) HazCams on the rover. Only (4) HazCams are operational at any given time, as the system features full redundancy. These cameras view the rovers surrounding in black and white 3D to determine whether the intended path is safe. They also monitor the anticipated path of the robotic arm to verify it is clear of hazards.
Mars Hand Lens Imager(MAHLI)
There is only (1) MAHLI on the rover, located on the robotic arm. Its purpose is to acquire microscopic images of rocks and soil. The MAHLI is capable of taking images in the dark.
Mars Descent Imager(MARDI)
There is (1) MARDI on Curiosity. Its purpose was to take images of the surface of Mars during the rovers’ descent to the surface of the planet. This allowed mapping of the surface surrounding the landing spot. It started taking images at 2.3 miles from the surface, concluding at 16’ from the surface. It took images at four frames per second for two minutes during its descent, and is capable of storing over 4,000 color images at 1,600 x 1,200 dpi.
In addition to (17) onboard cameras, Curiosity boasts a number of other high-tech systems including a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator as a power source, a fluid based heat rejection system, redundant onboard computers, and numerous telecommunication systems with full redundancy. The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station(REMS) monitors humidity, pressure, temperature, wind speed and ultraviolet radiation. Other onboard instruments and tools include the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer(APXS) which helps determine the composition of samples, the Sample Analysis at Mars(SAM) which analyzes organics and gases, the Dust Removal Tool (DRT) which removes dust, the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) which measures hydrogen, ice and water, and the 6.9’multi-purpose triple-jointed robotic arm. The rover can climb slopes up to 12.5°, can tilt 50° in any direction without rolling over, and can travel 660’ per day. It can drive over obstacles approximately 26” tall, has a ground clearance of 24”, a maximum speed of 300 feet per hour, and an average speed of 98 feet per hour.
Issues
In 2013, a critical wear issues was detected with the Mars Curiosity rover wheels while the rover was in service. This was a problem unique to the Curiosity due it its construction of multiple wheel axles, 6 tires and the harsh terrain of Mars. The original design of the drive train caused all of the wheels to turn at the same rate. This is problematic when climbing over sharp objects as it causes the wheels in front or behind the drive wheel to push or pull the others into jagged rock edges, causing permanent physical damage to those wheels. While the tires are 20 inches in diameter and 16 inches wide, the non-treaded portion of the tires is only half as thick as a dime. Photos were taken and compared to previous photos to determine the wear and tear of the tires and treads. The wear and breakage of a number of treads in the middle left tire of the Mars Curiosity rover was concerning. The wheel problem was solved with software by engineers on earth. The traction control software that they developed takes into account the wheel speed and suspension position of each individual wheel to determine the correct rotation speed for that wheel, minimizing the amount of slippage and damage to the treads. This algorithm took 18 months to test and develop by the scientific team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory before it was uploaded to Curiosity. This upgrade will help reduce pressure and damage to these delicate wheels. While the damage prior to the upgrade is significant, the Curiosity has already fulfilled its original mission on Mars and is expected to complete all of the current additional missions it has taken on.
Cost
The total cost of the mission, including the Mars Science Laboratory, the Curiosity rover and all associated design and construction, as well as expenses to cover the 23 months that Curiosity will operate on the surface of Mars, is $2,500,000,000 ($2.5 billion), or approximately $8 for each person living in the United States.
Mission Results
The mission was successful in determining that Mars indeed was once habitable for simple life forms.
The value of space travel to the human race is difficult to assess, however, in his book “Space Chronicles”, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson lists “a host of technologies that can be attributed to space exploration, including (but not limited to) kidney dialysis machines, aircraft collision-avoidance systems, LASIK eye surgery, GPS, hydroponic systems for growing plants, digital imaging, cordless power tools and athletic shoes.”
References
Curiosity (rover), July 9, 2017. Wikipedia.com. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity_(rover)
arpinajjar, (June 8, 2015). "Landing Sequence of the Curiosity Mars Rover". visual.ly. Retrieved from https://visual.ly/community/infographic/technology/landing-sequence-curiosity-mars-rover
Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology, (n.d.), Mars.nasa.gov. Retrieved from https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/science/objectives/
Bell, Terence (November 20, 2016). “Metals on the Mars Rover Curiosity”. TheBalance.com. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/metals-on-the-mars-rover-curiosity-2340049
Prigg, Mark (August 3, 2012). "The final countdown: Scientists begin preparations for the Mars Curiosity landing that has captivated the world(and admit they've created their own language to talk about it)". DailyMail.com. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2183096/Mars-Curiosity-landing-Scientists-begin-final-preparations-mission-captivated-world.html
David, Leonard, (July 6, 2015). "Wheel Worries: Mars Rover Curiosity Dealing With Damage". Space.com. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/29844-mars-rover-curiosity-wheel-damage.html
Folger, Jean (September 5, 2012). “Why Curiosity Cost $2.5 Billion”. Investopedia.com. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0912/why-curiosity-cost-2.5-billion.aspx
Loff, Sarah (July 30, 2015). "Two Years Ago, Curiosity Rover Lands on Mars, Captures Image of Mount Sharp". Nasa.gov. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/content/two-years-ago-curiosity-rover-lands-on-mars-captures-image-of-mount-sharp